Distribution Roundup: Finch’s Taps North Carolina; Saugatuck Hits Minnesota

Finch’s to Expand Throughout North Carolina

Finch’s Beer will expand distribution throughout North Carolina per an agreement with Mutual Distributing, the wholesaler announced last week, with an initial rollout slated for October.

Initially, the brewery, which is based in Chicago, will hit the market in the greater Raleigh and Charlotte areas, but plans to gradually expand distribution to all parts of the state with its line of canned 4-packs.

“We believe that Finch’s is poised for growth in North Carolina and we are eager to work together to achieve that growth,” said William Riley, Mutual’s vice president of sales.

Added Michael Hayek, Mutual’s statewide beer division manager, “[I]t is very clear to us that they are dedicated to the North Carolina market.”

Saugatuck Hits Minnesota

Michigan’s Saugatuck Brewing began distributing in Minnesota on Monday, further adding to its footprint in the Midwest.

The brewery tapped Bernick’s of Waite Park for coverage in the state, launching initially in the Minneapolis-St. Paul metro area, according to MiBiz.com.

“We are very excited to be bringing our beer to the savvy Minnesota craft beer market as we continue to grow our production and expand our distribution footprint,” said Ric Gillette, president and CEO of Saugatuck, in a statement.

Founded in 2005, the brewery also distributes in its home state, as well as Chicago and northern Ohio.

Rogness Grows at Home

Expanding distribution in its home state of Texas, Rogness Brewing has inked an agreement with the newly launched Bluebonnet Distributing for coverage throughout Houston.

Rogness is the first client of Bluebonnet, which finished raising capital this summer and is set to begin operations this fall, according to the Houston Chronicle.

Prior to the agreement, Rogness had been self-distributing in the area, the article adds.

“We are excited and proud to announce this partnership,” said Forrest Rogness, co-founder of Rogness, in a statement. “[W]e are eager to enter the Houston market with an array of beers that is as diverse as the city’s population.”

“The opportunity set for craft beer in Texas is truly exciting as many of our local brewers have earned recognition on a national level,” added Timothy Zawinsky, founder and president of Bluebonnet. “I personally can’t wait to see what the future holds. The pace of change in the beer market continues to accelerate, and Bluebonnet is well positioned to support the craft community as an independent distributor.”